Drink.  Learn.  Laugh.  Repeat.

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 329,544 strong:

Register Today!

Balbás Reserva 2005 Wine Review

Balbás Reserva 2005

Balbás Reserva 2005

Ribera Del Duero D.O.C., Spain

Community Score:90/100

Community Reviews: 8

  Add My Review


Price: $43.95

Drink: 2018-2022

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 14%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine


Winery: Balbás

Agent: Tradesa Corp.

Natalie's Score: 90/100

Lots of acidity and a firm tannic grip even though this is a 2005. This full-bodied Spanish red wine has a good grip on the palate it offers more earthy, smoky, dusty aromas and flavours than fruit-forward ones. Complex, elegant and mature. Dry and subtle, with tanned leather and cigar box and made mostly from the traditional Tempranillo grape with some Cabernet. This Spanish DO wine finishes with dry tobacco and cedar. Decant for 2 hours and pair with lamb and rosemary. Terrific!

Food pairings: rack of lamb, rib eye steak, pork crown roast.

Luscious Lamb Wine

This Balbás Reserva 2005 was reviewed on March 31, 2018 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2018  2015  2014  2012  2006 

  Add New Vintage

Pricing & Stock Information

StoreStock    
Terry Fox & Campeau42 Add
Yonge & Summerhill41 Add
Bank & Walkley40 Add
Innes & Tenth Line39 Add
Rideau & King Edward37 Add
See More Edit

Reviews and Ratings

Wineboy rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Year after year this wine performs. Although the 2001 was perhaps a tad better, I'd still buy this one. You should too if you are looking for a heavily oaked wine (even on the Spanish spectrum). The fruit is medium weight, ripe and smooth. The oak takes almost a popcorn aroma. Still lovely after some age, and not showing signs of being tired. now - 3 years.
Jane Staples - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Made from 90% Tempranillo, 10% Cab Sauv. Luscious aromas of very fragrant ripe strawberries, cherries, cassis, vanilla, slight mint and allspice, repeated on the layered palate with touches of leather and toast. Good acidity makes it very food-friendly for tapas, olives, grilled lamb chops or hamburgers.
Tasted May 2017
Monique Sosa - Accredited Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

A divine bouquet of aromas matched with deeply flavourful black fruit, dried sage. mint, tobaccos and floral flavours. The palate is chewy with med-high tannins and tangy acidity. Stewed red plum, cherry, and tobacco notes dominate the finish. Enjoy with braised beef sliders. Tasted May 2017 by @sommsosa | bespoketastings.ca
Melanie Lloyd - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

This wine has aged beautifully! On the nose, we have juicy black cherry, dried blueberry, ripe strawberry, with cinnamon, vanilla, cedar, chocolate, and hints of parmesan.

On the palate, it is full bodied with tannins that are present yet not harsh, and bright acidity. The flavours are of plum, sour cherry, sweet spice, and cocoa.

I paired this with barbecued steak and chocolate for dessert.

Tasted August 2018
Christian Marcoux rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

This expressive Balbas 2005 wine from Ribera Del Duero, Spain, made with 90% Tempranillo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, reveals booming aromas of blackcurrant, lavender, black tea and cedar. On the palate, tart blackcurrant, smoke, tree moss and pepper, added to a tannic and short finish, will cleanse your mouth. Enjoy.

Christian Marcoux
Fantastic tannic grip on this Balbas Reserva 2005 from the Ribera del Duero wine region. This is indeed a full-bodied, earthy Spanish red wine blend of mostly Tempranillo and some Cabernet Sauvignon with smoky, meaty and cedar spice flavours. Decant for 2 hours and pair with garlic lamb and rosemary. - Community Wine Reviews

If you liked the Balbás Reserva 2005, you might also like these wines:

Recipes for Balbás Reserva 2005

WANT TO LEARN HOW TO

PAIR WINE
& FOOD?

Join me in a free online video class to learn the secrets to perfect pairings.

Wine of the Week

As featured on  

Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean offers North America's most popular online wine and food pairing classes. She was named the World's Best Drinks Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia.

Natalie has published two books with Random House, both selected as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year.

Join 329,544 thirsty wine lovers who get access to all of her wine reviews by becoming a member of her site. Take a free online pairing class with her here.

FEEL LOST IN THE

LCBO?

Know the wines you want before you even get to the store with my wine reviews. Join now. It's free.

Red, White & Drunk All Over

  Best Books of the Year

Red, White & Drunk all over by Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean writes about wine with a sensuous obsession... and often laugh-out-loud funny... Terrific.

Rex Pickett, Sideways

Ms. MacLean is the disarming Everywoman. She loves wine, loves drinking ... ultimately, it's a winning formula.

Eric Asimov, The New York Times

GOT A SMARTPHONE?

Access my reviews on mobile with the bar code scanner.

GET NAT'S APP

Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search

  Best Books of the Year

Unquenchable by Natalie MacLean

Natalie MacLean is a new force in the wine writing world ‐ a feisty North American answer to Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson. She can write beautifully about wine.

The Financial Times of London

There are very few people in the wine world who "get it" and Natalie is one of those who brings more fun to a buttoned-up and stodgy game.

Gary Vaynerchuck, Wine Library TV

Starting a Wine Cellar?

Expert advice for all budgets

Insider tips on starting a wine cellar
From wine racks to underground caves, insider tips on size and space, number of bottles, ideal conditions and reputable resources.   learn more  
Winner World's Best Drink Writer
WFour-Time Winner James Beard Foundation
Five-Time Winner Association of Food Journalists
Six-Time Winner Bert Greene Award
Best Wine Literature Book Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Online Writer of the Year Louis Roederer International Wine Writing Award